“Brandon Aiyuk’s Season Ends with Devastating Knee Injury as 49ers Face Uncertainty”
Brandon Aiyuk, a standout name throughout the NFL offseason and regular season, has seen his year come to an abrupt end. An MRI confirmed the San Francisco 49ers star receiver suffered a torn ACL and MCL during Sunday’s 28-18 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Under better circumstances, Aiyuk would have been preparing to face the Dallas Cowboys this week, but instead, his season is over.
The timing of the injury is especially tough for the 49ers, who are struggling with a 3-4 record. The team is already reeling from the absence of Christian McCaffrey, who has yet to play this season while recovering from an Achilles injury. Aiyuk sustained the injury late in the first half after colliding awkwardly with two Chiefs defenders following a 15-yard catch from quarterback Brock Purdy. A gruesome replay revealed his right leg bending unnaturally on impact, and he had to be carted off the field.
After the game, head coach Kyle Shanahan admitted the team was concerned about the severity of the injury. Aiyuk’s season ends with 25 receptions for 374 yards, just months after making headlines with trade and contract demands. He was nearly dealt to Pittsburgh before signing a four-year, $120 million extension to stay in San Francisco. Now, the 49ers will have to regroup as they prepare to face the 3-3 Cowboys, hoping to secure a third consecutive win over their rivals.